MATCH PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY vs BLACKBURN ROVERS

The Bluebirds take on Blackburn Rovers at Cardiff City Stadium in their first match of 2016.

THE OPPOSITIONBlackburn Rovers visit the Welsh capital looking to bounce back from Monday’s defeat to bottom-of-the-table Bolton Wanderers.

The result followed their postponed Boxing Day fixture against Middlesbrough and an away defeat to Reading, however, Rovers have been performing well under new boss Paul Lambert overall, winning three and drawing two of his first seven fixtures.

Jordan Rhodes has nine strikes to date for Blackburn, who have now risen to sixteenth-place in the Sky Bet Championship. He will be looking to get back amongst the goals on Saturday though, having not scored in six games.

His strike partner, Fodé Koita, is a doubt for the match, and could be replaced in the side by Welsh international, Tom Lawrence, who is on loan from Leicester City.

CLUB CONNECTIONSCraig Conway is enjoying his third season at Blackburn this year, and has continued to impress, playing a part in seven strikes for Rovers so far in this campaign (5 assists, 2 goals).

Others to have recently played for both sides include Rudy Gestede, who scored thirty-five goals in his two seasons at Blackburn.

Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy netted seventeen strikes in thirty-two games in a Blackburn shirt in 2005/06, and Jay Bothroyd turned out for the side the year before, making fourteen appearances on loan from Italian side, Perugia.

MEMORABLE ENCOUNTERScroll down for highlights of Cardiff City's 4-1 away victory over Blackburn Rovers in December 2012!